New Admissions site more streamlined, visual

08/13/2012

The Office of Admissions launched a new website to appeal more directly to its many audiences and to make it easier to learn about Akron and apply for admission. The office serves not only prospective students, but also their parents and school counselors.

After reviewing feedback from Web design experts, and researching university websites across the country, Admissions and Institutional Marketing created a site that is more visually appealing and that will serve audiences more effectively. Where the website was previously process-focused, it now allows visitors to choose the content that matches their stage in the college search to get the information they need to apply to the University.

"Our new Admissions website is designed to showcase Akron's outstanding academic programs, campus life, campus facilities and student research projects for prospective students and their families," said Diane Raybuck, director of admissions. "In addition, it will hopefully connect students through social media options online, put them in contact with admissions staff members, and make the application process easier to understand and complete."

Features of the new site include:

Student success stories

Outstanding faculty profiles

Links to student organizations and learning communities

Student testimonial videos

Tens of thousands of students inquire about The University of Akron annually, and more than 14,000 applied last year. For many of them, the Admissions website was their first glimpse into what it's like to be a student here.

In conjunction with the new website, Admissions unveiled UA's first virtual tour, allowing students to explore the University before they set foot on campus.

Working with UA's Web team, Admissions also made the site accessible on mobile devices. Also this year, the Office of Admissions joined other institutions in publishing the annual viewbook entirely online. This cost-cutting measure also appeals to student behavior, which is increasingly moving to the Web.

Links to the old admissions website will be redirected, but we encourage departments to update their links to the new site.